Spring Break
Fayetteville School District finalizes plans to build new high school on same property
Lana Hazel
Issue date: 4/29/09 Section: News
The design team said building around an existing facility was just another factor in designing the plan instead of a huge concern.
"This kind of stuff happens a lot and probably more in schools than in other places," said Bobbie Hill, director of planning for Concordia LLC. "It's going to be disruptive, but there are plenty of ways to mitigate that. It's a small price to pay in the scheme of things."
Hill said schools that are rebuilding at a current location usually have what she called a "swing space" where students are relocated during the building process. Even with that option available, the main high school campus will definitely continue to be used throughout the construction period.
Kristen Boswell, the director of the Arkansas State Teachers Association, said members were not too worried about the building plan and have not been involved.
"There are obvious concerns with having ongoing construction at the same location as students, namely safety and distraction," she said. "However, we are confident in the district's plans to ensure the safety of the students and to preserve their learning environment."
Libby Combs, the parent involvement facilitator for Fayetteville High School, said the construction has not been brought up as a concern or complaint in parent meetings. She said the Parental Involvement Committee plans to fully support the decision to build new facilities at the current location.
Another potential difficulty caused by the construction is traffic issues. Hill said "it would be unrealistic to think it won't have an impact on parking and accessibility." She said the current layout wasn't designed with circulation in mind and that there would probably be an increase in congestion during construction. However, she said that "the new plan will make a gigantic difference" in terms of traffic flow and accessibility.
"From the perspective of an impact on the university, there may be traffic changes during the different phases as their construction crews access the property," said Mike Johnson, director of facilities management for the UA.
"This kind of stuff happens a lot and probably more in schools than in other places," said Bobbie Hill, director of planning for Concordia LLC. "It's going to be disruptive, but there are plenty of ways to mitigate that. It's a small price to pay in the scheme of things."
Hill said schools that are rebuilding at a current location usually have what she called a "swing space" where students are relocated during the building process. Even with that option available, the main high school campus will definitely continue to be used throughout the construction period.
Kristen Boswell, the director of the Arkansas State Teachers Association, said members were not too worried about the building plan and have not been involved.
"There are obvious concerns with having ongoing construction at the same location as students, namely safety and distraction," she said. "However, we are confident in the district's plans to ensure the safety of the students and to preserve their learning environment."
Libby Combs, the parent involvement facilitator for Fayetteville High School, said the construction has not been brought up as a concern or complaint in parent meetings. She said the Parental Involvement Committee plans to fully support the decision to build new facilities at the current location.
Another potential difficulty caused by the construction is traffic issues. Hill said "it would be unrealistic to think it won't have an impact on parking and accessibility." She said the current layout wasn't designed with circulation in mind and that there would probably be an increase in congestion during construction. However, she said that "the new plan will make a gigantic difference" in terms of traffic flow and accessibility.
"From the perspective of an impact on the university, there may be traffic changes during the different phases as their construction crews access the property," said Mike Johnson, director of facilities management for the UA.
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